20 killed in Gaza as crowd surges at aid site run by an Israeli-backed group

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An American aid organization says 20 Palestinians were killed at a distribution site in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it believed that 19 died from trampling Wednesday at its food distribution center and one was stabbed. The group accuses Hamas of spreading panic but provided no evidence. Witnesses said GHF guards threw stun grenades and used pepper spray on people pressing to get into the site before it opened, causing panic. The United Nations reports 875 Palestinians have died near aid sites since May. Meanwhile, hospital officials say Israeli strikes killed 54 others, including 14 children. Israel says its strikes target Hamas, accusing the group of hiding among civilians.

At least 15 injured in Russian attack targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched overnight attacks on four Ukrainian cities, injuring at least 15 people and targeting energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials reported the strikes involved drones and a ballistic missile. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for stronger air defenses to counter the assaults. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump has pledged more weapons for Ukraine including Patriot air defense systems while threatening additional sanctions on Russia. Critics argue a U.S.-imposed deadline for peace talks could allow Russia to seize more territory. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed that the European Union set aside 100 billion euros in aid for Ukraine as part of the bloc’s long-term budget.

Syrian government and Druze minority leaders announce a new ceasefire

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian officials and Druze leaders have announced a new ceasefire after days of violent clashes, but Israel has continued its airstrikes after intervening. The deadly fighting began with kidnappings and attacks between Druze and Sunni Bedouin groups and escalated with the arrival of government forces. Israel’s airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday targeted Syrian military sites and killed three people. Israeli officials say the strikes aim to protect the minority Druze communities and push militants away from its border. The violence poses a significant challenge to Syria’s new leadership and the country’s postwar political transition.

US deports immigrants from Jamaica, Cuba and other countries to Eswatini

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The United States says it has sent five immigrants to the small African nation of Eswatini in an expansion of the Trump administration’s third-country deportation program. The U.S. already has deported eight men to another African nation, South Sudan, after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on sending people to countries where they have no ties. In a post on X, Homeland Security Department Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the men, who are citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and Laos, have arrived in Eswatini on a plane. McLaughlin says they were convicted of crimes including murder and child rape and one was a “confirmed” gang member.